Enchiridion

Enchiridion

ˌeNGkəˈridēən

Noun

  • A book containing essential information on a subject.

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Example Sentences

“Susan treasures her mother’s cookbook, an enchiridion of the family’s favorite dishes.”

“Dr. White published an enchiridion about koalas’ behavior and social habits.”

“My friend gifted me a Paris enchiridion that was the perfect size for my travel pack.”

Word Origin

Greek, mid-16th century

Why this word?

“Enchiridion” came into English in the 16th century to refer to a portable, hand-sized guidebook. The modern handbook has roots in the enchiridion (related to the Greek word for “hand”), which was traditionally a small, portable manual widely used in ancient Greece and through to the 19th century. An enchiridion was intended to keep useful information — including religious teachings, ethical advice, the rules of poetry, guidance for soldiers, and means of understanding the law — close at hand.

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